There's an old idiom that says that you should never meet your heroes lest you become disappointed by the disconnect between your idealized hero and the real human being behind the public persona. While the truth of this sentiment is, like all other generalizations, unique to the individual circumstances involved, one wonders how this would apply to the greatest of heroes, the DC super heroes.

Should Batman save you from a mugger in the streets of Gotham City, would you think he was an emotionless asshole if he didn't stick around until the police arrived? Would a chance encounter with the Man of Steel outside of Metropolis City Hall upset you if he didn't pause for small talk before brusquely excusing himself to deal with an erupting volcano? How would you react if you found yourself an unfortunate bystander to a battle between the forces of evil and Booster Gold, a shady "hero" publicly accused of jeopardizing public safety in pursuit of attention?

In the DC Universe, the average citizen's opinion of Booster Gold remains understandably pretty low. Booster is in many ways an unlikeable character: gambler, thief, egomaniac, and buffoon are all words that apply to his character. He tends to be a little manic-depressive. He's lost more money than most people will ever see. In over 20 years as a costumed hero, he has earned few friends with his selfish attitude and questionable judgment. In short, there are very few redeeming qualities about Booster Gold. But therein lies the character's appeal.

Despite failing at almost everything he has ever tried, Booster Gold still keeps trying. In spite of expectations, he even seems to be having a good time. Better, Booster Gold appears to be learning from his mistakes, proving him to be the rarest of DC Heroes: the kind that grows.

So if you should happen to bump into Booster Gold during your travels through the DC Universe, maybe you should give him a chance. Even if he did just endorse a company that turned out to be committing SEC fraud, speak against the Justice League on behalf of an alien race, or accidentally kill your dog, he's trying to be a hero. And real heroes don't care how you feel about them (so long as you keep buying their comic book).

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